One of the basic needs of a man all over the world is a dwelling, and housing is the base of all building. Just after the dwellings they build bridges, railways, harbors, airports, factories etc.
In all building you need qualified experts, construction professionals such as Finnish "Rakennusmestari" (Construction Manager). It is a traditional profession which roots lead back to carpenter and bricklayer trades. "Master Builder" was for centuries also architect, engineer and contractor.
Up till the year 2000 Finnish Construction Managers took their diploma of Technician Engineer from the College of Technology and the education lasted three years.
In september 2007 six new universities of applied studies started new programmes in Construction Management. After 3,5 years (210 credits) the young professionals will hold a degree of Rakennusmestari, AMK (Bachelor of Construction Management). The objective of the programmes is to provide the knowledge and skills needed for working in house building or in civil engineering or in HVAC projects.
Construction Managers are competent to manage or supervise new building and renovation sites from conception to completion and maintenance.
As experts in the management of the building process they have duties as well in planning, acquisition, site surveying and quality control. Some of them work as project managers, contractors, contract managers, surveyors, municipal building inspectors, fire inspectors, apartment house managers, teachers or as product, sales, marketing managers for the construction material industry.
Industrial construction develops continually and computers have come to the sites. The part of the renovation, facilities and maintenance is growing in building. This demands from the construction professionals continuous improvement of their skills as well post graduate training. Construction Managers have to keep up also their competence, do their work fairly and honestly and confirm thus trade`s appreciation, position and good reputation.
On of the basic rights in the European Union is the free movement of people and thus also individual construction professionals from one member country to another. The diplomas of Finnish Construction Managers are recognized in EU countries under the First Directive for the Mutual Recognition of Diplomas in Higher Education.
Useful links:
www.oph.fi/english/ (Finnish National Board of Education)
The Confederation of Finnish Construction Industries RT (CFCI)